Editing is what determines meaning in a film; it allows films to present four dimensions; information about the plot, how much information we are suppose to receive and the mood and pace of the narrative through aspects such as camera angles, narrative, music and actors. In 1895 the Lumiere Brothers invented Cinematograph this is a three in one recorded, captured and projected motion picture. This is editing was first invented; the purpose of editing allows the film to become seamless and sets pace to the film. A whole film can have a different meaning due to the way the films been adapted by editing. Continuity editing is a film edit, when every shot runs smoothly into the next. We see every movement that occurs to maintain continuous narrative. This technique is used to hook the viewers, as it appears like they are there with the actors, creates the illusion were on the same journey, therefore it captivates the audience as that want to know what happens next within a film. 1903 was the first time a continuity edit was used: ‘Life of an American Fireman’ directed by Edwin S. Porter. This was seen as a revolutionary breakthrough in the film industry as it was the first time editing rules had been made accessible to use. In this exacting film there is a repeat in narrative action. The audience previews the fireman’s whole journey from the fire station to the burning house. Edwin filmed every movement within a major scene for example when the fireman had to rescue the children in the house. It created a story in our heads, through the way the scenes are editing together, as if the shots were in a different order, we would view the film from a different perspective.
Film editing become more complex after continuity editing was used, as a few years after, Lev Kuleshov a Russian filmmaker, discovered the ‘Kuleshov effect’ in the early 1900′s. The idea of the Kuleshov effect is that it’s your own interpretation of the film, therefore with no dialogue there is no specific message, and viewers need to create the message themselves through the order of the shots and the way there edited. The Editing tells the story, as we make connections through the layout and shots used. An example of this is Kulshov’s original film (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gGl3LJ7vHc ). The shots in this example have no relevance or meaning independently however when they are put together we make the link between them to create a story. The Kuleshov effect is a progression from continuity editing as when using a continuity edit the director films every part so we know exactly what is going on, as every movement was linked and it tells a specific story however the Kuleshov effect doesn’t follow a pattern, we have to make the connection between the shots being shown. Another improvement made over time between continuity and montage is that montage edit isn’t determined y rules and doesn’t need writing to drive the narrative. Jump Cut: Having a single subject and camera angle suddenly switch positions, to appear like its jumping from one shot to the next makes the video appear more active or lively. This type of edit shows the effect of jumping forward in time.
It is a very simple cut however it’s used the most in films as it makes them run more smoothly. It avoids dead space and connects one shot to another. However, it's also because jump cuts draw attention to what is otherwise supposed to go un-noticed that they can be used in strategic and creative ways. It can reveal and cover up a story like in this particular shot. The direction has tried to show a change and add speed to a sequence of events, it this jump cut the main iconography in both pictures is of the little boy, however without as even noticing the location has changed, as the cars in the background are now coming from a different direction, gives the effect that distance is being travelled. This edit shows the development of editing throughout time, as it is in contrast to a continuity edit as a jump cuts aim is isn’t to show continuous time, it’s to show the speed of time through one shot. Parallel Editing is where two scenes are going on in different locations however it is editing to look like they are in the same place. This technique is used in many films, to capture two major events happening at once. This creates suspence and could lead to the pivotal moment within the film, as the conclusion is normally unexpected. For example in the film ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ there are two locations however they both have the same outcome of rescuing a women being held hostage, but the armed men show up at the wrong house leaving a women with the criminal, this builds up tension as it creates the effect of a chase, as the audience are waiting for something to happen this is done through the motion of the parallel edit. Allowing the audience to connect and relate the characters and their locations to the eventual, violent climax.
Match cut is an editing technique when the editor cuts from one shot to the next shot. The shot is carried through rather than matching two separate shots. For example, A space odyssey links the two shots together, as a bone goes flying up into space once the bone is in space the cut is then presents as on the way down a new subject takes place( space satellite) It’s continuity direction as both objects follow the same path. I believe this gives the film meaning as it’s to show the future and revolution, as once life (bone) went to space the world changed and the shot with the satellite is trying to represent that. Also, how weapons used my mankind have changed over time, this is also Stanley Kubrick’s view on how much more advanced the world will be in 2001. This creates a visual bridge to engage the viewer as there could of multiple ends to the story being told. It is a very effective technique as the audience will create their own interpretation of the story being told.
Another famous example of a match cut is the ‘shower scene’ in the film psycho by Alfred Hitchcock, this is created when there is a shot of running water swirling around the plug and then it turns into a women’s eye, therefore a similar centre of attention in the frame. The editing technique is representing Janet Leigh life being drained away once she is murdered. I personally think the music throughout the scene intensifies every feature of action, as it disorientates the audience as the music is a way of emphasising the end of her life. I believe the composer Bernard Herrmann’s aim was to make it more realistic, as the music increases the drama of the murder and make it less cinematic therefore when the music stops and there’s only the sound of running water it evokes sadness and gives the audience thinking time.
Montage is an edit used to show a series of shots. They are juxtaposed into a sequence to show space, compressed time and coveys a lot of information in a short period of time using many pictures or film shots. Created by Sergei Eisenstein the idea was to create an idea or picture in viewer’s minds and evoke feelings (form a third meaning) either metrically or rhythmically. This is an example of a montage in Rocky, it’s a two minute clip showing his boxing training over time, he is in a different location and conveying different emotions in every shot, while the viewers are watching this they will gain background knowledge on the character this will develop the story and also gain knowledge and understand of what’s been going on over time without going into too much detail.
Rocky Training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP3MFBzMH2o